Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
RFC 1880 - 4. Explanation of Terms

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### 4. Explanation of Terms

There are two independent categorization of protocols. The first is the "maturity level" or STATE of standardization, one of "standard", "draft standard", "proposed standard", "experimental", "informational" or "historic". The second is the "requirement level" or STATUS of this protocol, one of "required", "recommended", "elective", "limited use", or "not recommended".

The status or requirement level is difficult to portray in a one word label. These status labels should be considered only as an indication, and a further description, or applicability statement, should be consulted.

When a protocol is advanced to proposed standard or draft standard, it is labeled with a current status.

At any given time a protocol occupies a cell of the following matrix. Protocols are likely to be in cells in about the following proportions (indicated by the relative number of Xs). A new protocol is most likely to start in the (proposed standard, elective) cell, or the (experimental, limited use) cell.

                                 S T A T U S
                         Req   Rec   Ele   Lim   Not
                       +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Std     |  X  | XXX | XXX |     |     |
           S           +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Draft   |  X  |  X  | XXX |     |     |
           T           +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Prop    |     |  X  | XXX |     |     |
           A           +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Info    |     |     |     |     |     |
           T           +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Expr    |     |     |     | XXX |     |
           E           +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
               Hist    |     |     |     |     | XXX |
                       +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

What is a "system"?

  Some protocols are particular to hosts and some to gateways; a few protocols are used in both. The definitions of the terms below will refer to a "system" which is either a host or a gateway (or both). It should be clear from the context of the particular protocol which types of systems are intended.

4.1. Definitions of Protocol State

4.1.1. Standard Protocol
4.1.2. Draft Standard Protocol
4.1.3. Proposed Standard Protocol
4.1.4. Experimental Protocol
4.1.5. Informational Protocol
4.1.6. Historic Protocol

4.2. Definitions of Protocol Status

4.2.1. Required Protocol
4.2.2. Recommended Protocol
4.2.3. Elective Protocol
4.2.4. Limited Use Protocol
4.2.5. Not Recommended Protocol

Next: 4.1. Definitions of Protocol State

Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
RFC 1880 - 4. Explanation of Terms